HOUSTON – A man accused of flashing children and teens in several locations across Houston was arrested Monday, police said.
Manuel Rodriguez Jr., 36, was charged with three counts of indecency with a child.
Police said that Rodriguez is believed to be responsible for six indecent exposure incidents that happened between June 2016 and April in northern and central Houston.
Police released surveillance video of one of the incidents that happened on Irvington Boulevard on April 12.
VIDEO: Surveillance video of flashing incident
“The victims have all expressed that he never said a word to them,” said Officer Kamesha Baker, an investigator with the Houston Police Department’s Special Victims Division. “The just felt him lurking.”
Investigators said the victims included three boys and three girls who were between 12 and 18 years old.
“Most of them are children, and it’s a traumatic experience for them,” Baker said.
Police said they charged Rodriguez with only three of the cases, because the victims were children, which would make those crimes a felony. The victims of the remaining cases are considered adults under Texas law, and the charges would only be a misdemeanor in those cases.
"This is the first time that I've heard about this issue in this neighborhood since I moved in since 2003,” Oak Forest resident Daniel Ramirez said. “And obviously I think it's the first time I've ever heard this issue pop up at any location I've lived."
VIDEO: Police discuss arrest in case
“(The victims) said they felt like he wanted them to see him,” Baker said.
Rodriguez was being held in jail without bond. A hearing is scheduled for April 24.
Baker said investigators believe there may be other victims and asked anyone with information about the cases to call the Special Victims Division at 713-308-1180.
